WO2011123989A1

WO2011123989A1 - Demonstration kit for detergent

Info

Publication number: WO2011123989A1
Application number: PCT/CN2010/000468
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph Tan Chio; Bert J. L. Grobben; Tao Nmn Sun
Original assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority date: 2010-04-09
Filing date: 2010-04-09
Publication date: 2011-10-13
Also published as: CN203217861U; US20110247962A1

Abstract

A demonstration kit (100) for detergent has a container defining a space therein, and the container contains detergent and soil in the space, wherein the detergent and the soil are separated from each other. The demonstration kit (100) allows the user to put all the articles required to demonstrate the performance of the detergent into one orderly kit, so as to facilitate the demonstration.

Description

DEMONSTRATION KIT FOR DETERGENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a demonstration kit. Specifically, the present invention relates to a portable demonstration kit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Detergent manufacturers and/or suppliers have attempted to on-site demonstrate the performance of a detergent so as to persuade the consumers to purchase their detergent or at least favorably impress the consumers. Currently, during the demonstration, the demonstrator is always surrounded by various related articles, such as basin(s), bag(s) or bottle(s) of detergent, clothes to be tested on, and so on. Sometimes, there is a need to carry them from one location to another location to perform the demonstration in various sites. The demonstrator often finds it a tough job to orderly arrange all these articles into a container, such as a box or a bag, because these articles have different shapes and/or sizes, and even in different state, such as liquid or powder. Furthermore, those articles are often simply put into the container without fixation, so they tend to become jumbled during transportation. For the articles in liquid or powder form, even if they are held in separate vessels, there is still possibility to leak out or sprinkle out, and therefore to dirty the inside of the container. Besides, it will be difficult to find those smaller articles from a container which is packed with various sizes of articles.

Accordingly, the need exists for a demonstration kit, which is preferably portable, by which the demonstrator can easily and conveniently perform the demonstration in various sites. The need also exists for a demonstration kit, in which the articles can be fixed to its location during transportation. The need also exists for a demonstration kit which is water-proof and/or stain-proof. The need also exists for a demonstration kit in which every article has its own location and can be taken or placed easily. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a demonstration kit for detergent. Specifically, the present invention relates to a demonstration kit having a container defining a space therein, the container containing a detergent in the space, and a soil in the space, wherein the detergent and the soil are separated from each other. With such a demonstration kit, the demonstrator can take the detergent and the soil together in one kit, and therefore can easily and conveniently carry them from one location to another location to perform the demonstration in various sites. Furthermore, since the detergent and the soil are put together in one kit, the demonstrator can quickly and easily see what needs to be replenished so as to keep a balance therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description of the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is an outside view of an embodiment of the demonstration kit according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the demonstration kit of Fig. 1 ; and

Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of some articles attached to or put into the demonstration kit of the present invention.

The figures herein are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, any of the terms "comprising", "having", "containing" and "including" means that other steps, ingredients, elements, etc. which do not adversely affect the end result can be added. Each of these terms encompasses the terms "consisting of and "consisting essentially of. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the elements and/or equipments herein are believed to be widely available from multiple suppliers and sources around the world.

According to the present invention, a demonstration kit for detergent is provided.

Specifically, the demonstration kit has a container defining a space therein, the container containing a detergent in the space, and a soil in the space, wherein the detergent and the soil are separated from each other.

Referring to Fig. 1, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a demonstration kit, 100, having a box-like appearance. Other appearance can be used herein, such as a bag-like appearance, a case-like appearance, a basket-like appearance, a luggage-like appearance or the like. The demonstration kit, 100, can be made from any materials which do not adversely affect the end result, for example, made from plastic, cloth, rubber, paper, metal and/or leather, preferably plastic and/or rubber, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC) plate and/or foam. Preferably, the demonstration kit, 100, is made of water-proof and/or stain-proof materials, which makes the demonstration kit easy to clean.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, the demonstration kit, 100, includes a top cover, 1 1, and a main body, 12. On the top cover, 1 1, the demonstration kit, 100, includes four clamping elements, 20, by which a spoon, 21, and chopsticks, 22, are fixed to the top cover, 1 1, of the demonstration kit, 100. This is advantageous since this makes the kit space-saving and facilitates the demonstrator to take or place such small articles as the spoon and chopsticks. Alternatively, the demonstration kit or the container may contain a wall, 60, and a hanger, 61, attached to the wall. The hanger may be selected from the group consisting of a hook, a clamp and a mixture thereof. The small articles, such as a spoon, a scoop, chopsticks, tweezers, scissors, forceps, and/or other tools that may be used during demonstration, can be hung on the hanger, which helps to keep the kit orderly.

The demonstration kit, 100, has a handle, 23, on the top cover, 11. The handle can be of any shape that can facilitate the user to hold or carry the demonstration kit. The handle can be attached to the top cover by adhesives, screws, fasteners or the like. The handle can be rigid or flexible. In an embodiment herein, the handle, 23, is flexible and capable of being pushed into the inside of the demonstration kit, 100, so as to save the space occupied by the demonstration kit, 100, and to make it easier to store, stack or transport the kit. Alternatively, the handle can be attached to any other locations of the kit, only if it can facilitate the user to hold or carry the kit.

Furthermore, in Fig. 1, the demonstration kit, 100, includes two magnetic buckles, 24, as a locking device. Any other locking device is also useful herein, such as a slide fastener, a snap- in locking device, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro™), and a combination thereof. For more security, a lock attached with a key can also be used.

In an embodiment herein, the cover of the demonstration kit can have several parts capable of being opened separately and/or being opened by folding. In this way, the container or the inner space of the kit can be exposed as required, so as to avoid any unwanted or unexpected contamination from the outside.

The main body, 12, has an external surface, and the external surface has an optional mark, 31, such as a product logo, identifying the product to be demonstrated. Other marks, such as a pattern, a character, a logo, a word, a letter, a claim, a slogan, a picture, a photo, or a combination thereof, which are used to make the demonstration kit, 100, look more beautiful, and/or to tell the user some related information, can also be used herein, such as the text, 32, shown in Fig. 1. The demonstration kit of Fig. 1, 100, further includes a pocket, 40, and a fabric, 41, in the pocket. The pocket, 40, can be made from plastics, just like a package for facial tissues, and the pocket may be water-proof. The pocket may be made from thin plastic film, such as from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) or polyvinylchloride (PVC) thin film and may be printed with a mark on the surface, such as a logo. The pocket can be affixed to and/or be part of the external surface or the internal surface of the demonstration kit, 100, or be simply put inside the demonstration kit, 100, such as, against the wall of the demonstration kit, 100.

If present, the fabric, 41, may be made as small clothes, which makes the demonstration more vivid and more impressive. The fabric, 41, can also be of any other shape, such as circular, square, trapezoid, and so on. The fabric can be colorful, but in many cases may be white, which makes the demonstration more explicit. Alternatively, at least part of the fabric is white. There can be only one big piece of the fabric in the pocket, and the demonstrator can cut it into small pieces as required with, for example, scissors, during the demonstration. Alternatively, the fabric can be precut as small pieces in advance, and the pocket can contain many of such small pieces. In this case, the individual small pieces can be continuously removable from the pocket.

Fig. 2 shows an exploded view of the demonstration kit of Fig. 1. As can be seen from Fig. 2, the demonstration kit, 100, has a container defining a space therein. Generally, the container can be separable from the kit . Alternatively, the container constitutes the whole demonstration kit. In this case, the outer surface of the container constitutes the external surface of the demonstration kit.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, the container contains two separators, 50, in the space, which separators partition the space into three compartments, 51, 52, 53. The separators can be fixed to the container by an adhesive or glue. Alternatively, the container further has locating buttons inside, and the locating buttons are used to locate and/or fix the separator. In an embodiment herein, the separator is movable, so that the user can adjust the size of each compartment as required, which makes the demonstration kit more space-saving and space-effective.

The detergent is put into one of the compartments, such as the first compartment, 51. In an embodiment herein, the detergent further includes a reference detergent to be compared with the product to be demonstrated. In this case, the first compartment, 51, will include several small vessels, which may be identified by different colors or marks, to hold different detergents. The vessel can be of any shape, only if it is convenient to take and refill the detergent. For example, Fig. 3a shows a vessel for the powdered detergent, and Fig. 3b shows a vessel for the liquid detergent, which is preferably designed as preventing the liquid from leaking out. The second compartment, 52, can hold, for example, a mini-washer. The mini-washer can be of any shape, such as those shown in Fig. 3c and Fig. 3d. The mini-washer includes a bowl, a cup, a basin, a pot, a jar, a crock, a kettle, a tub and any other vessel in which the fabric can be washed with the detergent. In an embodiment, the mini-washer contains a stirring device (not shown), the stirring device being located inside the mini-washer, so as to simulate the washing machine and therefore demonstrate the performance of the detergent in a washing machine. The stirring device can be manually or electrically driven. The mini-washer can be separated from or integrated with the kit. It would also be convenient to incorporate a drainage device into the mini-washer so as to avoid discharging the water by turning over the mini-washer or the whole kit in case that the mini-washer is integrated with the kit. In a particular embodiment, the mini- washer is scaled.

The soil is put into the third compartment, 53. The soil is intended to dirty and/or stain the fabric and may include, but is not limited to, dirt, soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, chocolate, curry, egg, soup, milk, juice, fat, oil, sweat, blood, beer, wine, honey, tea, coffee, sugar, chewing gum, rouge, cream, ink, paint, shoeshine, rust, asphalt, mud, adhesive, and a mixture thereof, which can be separately held in various vessels. The vessels as shown in Fig. 3a and Fig. 3b can also be used to hold the soil. Other vessels, such as a bottle, can also be used herein.

Additionally, water , which is held in a separate vessel, such as the one shown in Fig. 3b, can be put into the demonstration kit for the sake of urgent use.

In an embodiment, all the articles are secured to the container or the kit, such as, by a clamping device or other means which can perform the same function, which prevents the articles from jumbling with each other during transportation, and/or reducing the possibility of the liquid leaking out.

In summary, the demonstration kit of the present invention provides a convenient choice for the detergent manufacturers and/or suppliers, since it favorably helps the demonstrator to put all the articles required to demonstrate the performance of the detergent into one orderly kit, so as to make the demonstration more convenient and more effective, even when there is a need to go to several sites in a day. Furthermore, the demonstration kit can fix every article to its own location, so as to prevent them from jumbling with each other during transportation. In addition, the demonstration kit can be made water-proof and/or stain-proof, so that the demonstration kit can be cleaned easily. The demonstration kit can also be made with various compartments, so that the user can easily find the articles of various sizes and/or purposes. With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein are generally intended as "open" terms. For example, the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to", the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least", the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to", the indefinite articles "a" or "an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more". In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A demonstration kit comprising a container defining a space therein, said container comprising:

a) a detergent in said space; and

b) a soil in said space,

wherein said detergent and said soil are separated from each other.

2. The demonstration kit according to claim 1, wherein said container comprises a separator in said space.

3. The demonstration kit according to claim 1, wherein said container comprises a wall and a hanger attached to said wall, preferably said hanger is selected from the group consisting of a hook, a clamp and a mixture thereof.

4. The demonstration kit according to claim 3, wherein said container comprises a spoon hung on said hanger.

5. The demonstration kit according to claim 1, wherein said container comprises an outer surface and wherein said outer surface comprises a pocket, preferably wherein said pocket comprises a fabric therein.

6. The demonstration kit according to claim 1, wherein said container is selected from the group consisting of a bag, a box, a case, a luggage, a basket, and a combination thereof.

7. The demonstration kit according to claim 1, wherein said demonstration kit comprises a top cover and a handle at said top cover, preferably wherein said handle is capable of being pushed into the inside of said demonstration kit.

8. The demonstration kit according to claim 1, wherein said demonstration kit comprises an external surface and wherein said external surface comprises a mark.

9. The demonstration kit according to claim 1, further comprising a mini-washer therein, preferably wherein said mini-washer comprises a stirring device, said stirring device being located inside said mini-washer, manually or electrically driven.

10. The demonstration kit according to claim 1, wherein said soil is selected from the group consisting of dirt, soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, chocolate, curry, egg, soup, milk, juice, oil, sweat, blood, beer, wine, honey, tea, coffee, sugar, chewing gum, rouge, cream, ink, paint, shoeshine, rust, asphalt, mud, adhesive, and a mixture thereof.